arfink Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 Also, calling it out, naming it for what it is, and exposing it to the light of day, helps prevent you from marinating in it forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Therese Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 Often the cause for despair is feeling like there's no way out of your current situation, whatever that might be. If this sounds a little bit like what you're feeling, then some kind of change is all that it takes to let in a crack of light. A lot of the suggestions above are really good little changes you can make. I'd also recommend that you start dreaming... I'm not joking. Start imagining some things that you'd like to happen within the next few years, things that really MIGHT be possible, even if moving town or changing jobs is required. You don't even have to actually move town or change jobs. Simply allowing yourself to consider some of the things that might be possible will get you a little bit excited about life again... and then you're in a position to start thinking about what changes you actually WOULD be prepared to make. If you're in despair, you need to let some hope in. And hope is both natural AND spiritual. So if you do all the natural stuff above, AND in addition pray about it (and pray about other things too) and allow God to give you the spiritual help, then you can be confident that things will get better somehow, even if not in the way you've planned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandelynmarie Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 Maybe an adult beverage outside in the fresh air? On a patio? :cheers: Praying for you, much good advice here. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Ryan Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 How do you keep from falling into it? Its like a black hole sucking me in... I have been depressed for the last nine years. If I ever get out, I will let you know how I did it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anastasia13 Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 For me, it really depends on the source and issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cappie Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 (edited) As Mother Teresa's mission grew more difficult, she was tempted to turn back. She wrote to Calcutta's Archbishop Ferdinand Périer, “There is such terrible darkness within me, as if everything was dead. It has been like this more or less from the time I started ‘the work.’†She suffered darkness deeply: “In my heart there is no faith—no love—no trust—there is so much pain—the pain of longing, the pain of not being wanted. I want God with all the powers of my soul—and yet there between us—there is terrible separation. I don’t pray any longer.†Still, she kept trying to pray: “I want to speak—yet nothing comes—I find no words to express the depths of the darkness. In spite of it all—I am His little one—I love Him....†Eventually, Mother Teresa grew accustomed to her condition and wrote: “I do not know how deeper will this trial go—how much pain and suffering it will bring to me. This does not worry me any more. I leave this to Him as I leave everything else.†Despite her loss of interior solace: “...there is such a deep loneliness in my heart that I cannot express it....†She wrote: “I want it to be like this for as long as he wants it.†And that is why we can seek here intercession :console: Edited July 4, 2014 by cappie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Wednesday Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 I go through episodes of depression (and as a result, tempations to despair) -- but I always remind myself that it will pass, and that there will be better days. I look to God as a rock and a friend and offer up my sufferings for souls. I will pray for you. It's hard fall fully into despair when God gently tugs at the strings of our hearts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 (edited) I don't know if - in your situation - despair and depression are the same thing, but I found this blog by a priest on depression. He quotes a psalm at the beginning. There might be others that can help you when you're feeling desperate. The hyperlink didn't take, so you'll have to Google: FEBRUARY 27, 2014 The Saints & Depression FR. JOSEPH M. ESPER Edited July 5, 2014 by Luigi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maximillion Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 The horrible thing about depression is that it sucks away your will........ It hard wires your brain for the negative. There is often no tangible, external 'cause' for the feelings. (It is a bit easier if there is, because then there is an issue or a problem to resolve). What I know is - it passes, even if all you do is sit there and let breathing become your prayer. It may not lift completely but it is impossible to experience it in its intensity for long periods of time - the neurochemicals eventually run out! ANYTHING you to to help will help a little, but you need to be dogged and regular - a dog at a bone. There are tiny nerve endings in the muscles of our face called proprioceptors. If you smile, they send a message to the brain 'look, here is a smile' smile = happy ( the brain does not know you are smiling at nothing), it will produce endorphins as a result. Do this often, at least once an hour. Physical activity, even something as small as making a hot drink, will help. The more vigorous the activity the better the result. Put on your dance music and bop in your socks. Even five minutes will make a difference. Go against the feelings - act opposite. This is not me telling you to push down the despair, feel it, but don't let it dictate your action. This is really HARD to do, so practice it when things are not too bad at first. Remember, finally, you are NOT alone in this. Lots of us have been in this place/are in this place. Hold on - you can do this! Prayers and big virtual hugs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Credo in Deum Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 I don't know if - in your situation - despair and depression are the same thing, but I found this blog by a priest on depression. He quotes a psalm at the beginning. There might be others that can help you when you're feeling desperate. The hyperlink didn't take, so you'll have to Google: FEBRUARY 27, 2014 The Saints & Depression FR. JOSEPH M. ESPER What an great article. Thank you so much for posting this. I look forward to reading is other ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Ryan Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 As Mother Teresa's mission grew more difficult, she was tempted to turn back. She wrote to Calcutta's Archbishop Ferdinand Périer, “There is such terrible darkness within me, as if everything was dead. It has been like this more or less from the time I started ‘the work.’†She suffered darkness deeply: “In my heart there is no faith—no love—no trust—there is so much pain—the pain of longing, the pain of not being wanted. I want God with all the powers of my soul—and yet there between us—there is terrible separation. I don’t pray any longer.†Still, she kept trying to pray: “I want to speak—yet nothing comes—I find no words to express the depths of the darkness. In spite of it all—I am His little one—I love Him....†Eventually, Mother Teresa grew accustomed to her condition and wrote: “I do not know how deeper will this trial go—how much pain and suffering it will bring to me. This does not worry me any more. I leave this to Him as I leave everything else.†Despite her loss of interior solace: “...there is such a deep loneliness in my heart that I cannot express it....†She wrote: “I want it to be like this for as long as he wants it.†And that is why we can seek here intercession :console: [video]http://vimeo.com/21313757[/video] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Credo in Deum Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 2 Corinthians 4:5-18 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ, our Lord: and ourselves, your servants, through Jesus. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Christ Jesus. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels: that the excellency may be of the power of God, and not of us. 8 In all things we suffer tribulation, but are not distressed: we are straitened, but are not destitute: 9 We suffer persecution, but are not forsaken: we are cast down, but we perish not: 10 Always bearing about in our body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our bodies. 11 For we who live, are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake: that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 13 But having the same spirit of faith, as it is written: *I have believed, therefore I have spoken: we also believe, and therefore we speak: 14 Knowing that he who raised up Jesus, will raise us up also with Jesus, and place us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes: that the grace abounding through many, may abound in thanksgiving to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man is corrupted: yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our present tribulation, which is momentary and light, worketh for us above measure exceedingly an eternal weight of glory. 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen, are temporal: but the things which are not seen, are eternal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cappie Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 A Prayer for Hope against despair Heavenly father, I am your humble servant, I come before you today in need of hope. There are times when I fell helpless, There are times when I feel weak. I pray for hope. I need hope for a better future. I need hope for a better life. I need hope for love and kindness. Some say that the sky is at it's darkest just before the light. I pray that this is true, for all seems dark. I need your light, Lord, in every way. I pray to be filled with your light from head to toe. To bask in your glory. To know that all is right in the world, as you have planned, and as you want it to be. Help me to walk in your light, and live my life in faith and glory. In your name I pray, Amen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fidei Defensor Posted July 6, 2014 Author Share Posted July 6, 2014 Thing are…better, I suppose. They're getting better, I will admit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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